Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern has generously released the notes of the speech, given on her behalf, by Hon Iain Lees-Galloway to the Historic Places Aotearoa AGM 2018.

It’s a pleasure to be here today on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, among so many passionate advocates for the heritage sector.
And what better location for discussing historic places than here at Caccia Birch House – a wonderful example of New Zealand’s regional heritage and a building that is steeped in the history of Palmerston North.

(Hon) Grant Robertson MP (Labour Party)Finance Minister, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage(Grant Robertson has previously held the role of Labour Spokesperson for Arts Culture and Heritage and thus as Finance Minister will have an understanding of issues related to Heritage.)

Chlöe Swarbrick MP (Green Party)Green Party Spokesperson Arts Culture and HeritageThe Greens are a support party for the current Governement and as such have a Spokesperson for Arts Culture and Heritage.

"The Hurunui Hotel, a Category One historic place, was built in 1868. Constructed from two layers of local hand-hewn limestone blocks packed with a mixture of tussock, clay and lime, it has been awarded $132,503 in the latest round of Heritage EQUIP (the Heritage Earthquake Upgrade Incentive Programme) funding to help repair stonework damaged in the Kaikoura earthquakes."

"The other two buildings to benefit from the latest round of Heritage EQUIP funding are the Marshall Building in historic Tees Street, Oamaru ($48,000) and a William Gray Young-designed one in Petone’s Jackson Street Historic Area."

(Hon) Grant Robertson MP (Labour Party)Finance Minister, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage(Grant Robertson has previously held the role of Labour Spokesperson for Arts Culture and Heritage and thus as Finance Minister will have an understanding of issues related to Heritage.)

Chlöe Swarbrick MP (Green Party)Green Party Spokesperson Arts Culture and HeritageThe Greens are a support party for the current Governement and as such have a Spokesperson for Arts Culture and Heritage.

"Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taongais delighted with the acquisition of the Government Buildings Historic Reserve and Turnbull House Historic Reserve in central Wellington as part of a property portfolio realignment with the Department of Conservation and Ministry for Culture and Heritage announced today.

"DOC has received from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga the Whangamarino Redoubt Historic Reserve at Mercer, Clifden Suspension Bridge in Southland, Gabriel Read Memorial Reserve in Otago, Springvale Suspension Bridge east of Taihape and full control of the Brunner Industrial Historic Reserve on the West Coast.

Hon Maggie Barry

Minister Maggie Barry:

“The Old Government Building is already tenanted and a popular tourist attraction and Heritage New Zealand will consider options for Turnbull House once it has been earthquake strengthened.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced the appointment of four new members to the Heritage New Zealand Board and to the Māori Heritage Council.

“The new members of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Board are Bryce Barnett, Chris Cochran, Kim Ngārimu and David Nicoll and the new members of the Māori Heritage Council are Chris Cochran, Rebecca (Liz) Mellish and Paul White,” Ms Barry says.

“I’m pleased with the depth and breadth of experience on these two bodies which ensures the best of governance. Some members serve on both Board and Council.”

“I’d also like to thank outgoing Heritage NZ board members Wayne Marriott, Brian McGuinness and Storm McVay and Māori Heritage Council members Richard Bradley, Antoine Coffin and Wayne Marriott for their contribution over their three-year term.”

Minister Barry also announced the reappointment of four members to each organisation.

With this in mind, it’s important to consider both tangible and intangible value in any conversation about cultural heritage so that we are able to identify and protect our heritage places for present and future generations."

"A multi-million dollar fund to support regional cultural centres has been launched and opened for applications today by Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry.

The Regional Culture and Heritage Fund will be worth an average of $6.67 million a year.

A replacement and renaming of the former Regional Museums Policy, the RCHF is funded at the same level, but broadens its scope to include potential support for performing arts venues such as theatres and opera houses, heritage buildings with display collections and whare taonga. ..."